Portret van Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne 1755 - 1765

Pierre Dupin made this print of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, likely in France during the early 18th century. The image participates in a broader culture of memorializing military and political figures through portraiture. Let's consider how the image creates meaning. Note the oval frame, the armor, and the inscribed tablet below with the noble coat of arms. These are visual codes denoting status, power, and lineage. The text provides key biographical details, reinforcing his identity as a historical figure. Dupin’s print speaks to the social structures of its time, reinforcing aristocratic power through the dissemination of imagery. As art historians, we might consult genealogies, military records, and collections of prints to better understand the role this image played in shaping the public memory of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne and the institution of the French aristocracy. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.